SB-L CSD addresses facilities program at COMCON-17

     (SB) – At the COMCON-17 gathering (April 17) held at the Community Center, Sergeant Bluff-Luton CSD Superintendent Chad Janzen out lined the results of the district’s 18-month feasibility study (Feb.-May 2023) called “Success by Listening”. The latter is the result of school officials going into the community, and holding 15 listening sessions to what residents told what they think and want with regard to school facility improvements.

     Additionally, the SB-L district sent a community survey (Apr.-May 2023) to residents within the district. During the summer of 2023, nine (9) community engagement team meetings was held in which the entire district was invited to participate.

     In August 2023, the Community Engagement presented its findings to the school board. Superintendent Janzen followed up with the Community Engagement team in January 2024 with the first draft of its plans. 

     The time investment in learning what Sergeant Bluff residents wished was extensive and thorough. Along with the listening process, school officials and board members reviewed facility requirements that support student needs and programming and underlined how schools have changed over the past 30 years.

     School facility tours were held while exploring future-ready learning with an eye on what our current facilities look like and how they can support teachers and students now and in the future. All involved also reviewed and came to an understanding of the current district financial position as well as financing options available to support potential projects.

     There are eight (8) community engagement priorities that, together, look at tax impact, educational environment, safety/security, the creation of new space, updating of mechanical systems, flexible learning environments, preparation for all careers including skilled trades, as well as safe participation in athletics and extracurricular activities.

     Those areas and other important criteria all centered on an extensive, overall plan taking in three distinct phases for the years 2024, 2030 and 2035.

     The key figure given for the three phases is a $2.85 levy. That figure, Janzen said, would never rise, but rather be extended throughout the three phases. (Please go to the SB-L CSD homepage for printed tax tables for homeowners and agriculture land.)

     In essence, Phase 1 (2024) would see the construction of a new Primary Building, new Career and Technical Education Building, and renovation of a 1977 infrastructure (HVAC, electrical, lights and ceiling, controls, along with several other critical essentials). This is what SB community residents indicated they wanted. Cost for this phase: $54.6-million. 

     In the detailed report, Janzen explained that within the Phase 1 program, the Primary Building would be connected to the Elementary Building and would be inclusive of a pod design like the current elementary setting. The co-joined facility would share spaces – kitchen, music, art, character ed – and have its own entrance and bus lane, thus allowing no additional traffic on Port Neal Road.

     To accomplish the joining of the two buildings, Janzen explained, the current baseball and softball facilities would be moved to the 80 acre land owned by the SB-L CSD located just east of Sergeant Bluff along 1st Street. “Six tennis courts with pickle ball lines will also be added. Janzen shared that this project will be paid with PPEL AND statewide penny funds. No general obligation bonds will be used to pay for the fields or courts,” Janzen said.

     In 2030 – 16 years from now – Phase 2 would begin, and that would include a facility for grades 11/12, a gym, and in essence, the beginning of a community campus. 

     Interestingly, Janzen said the SB-L school district would receive help on the gym cost through a sharing program inclusive of Western Iowa Tech CC and potentially Siouxland YMCA.

     Janzen addressed past contentions of “No Voters”, i.e., sports, taxes and open enrollment. (Again, due to newspaper space, readers are asked to refer to the charts full explanations found in the SB-L CSD home page.)

     Within the next two weeks, local residents will receive a community-wide survey postcard. “The important thing,” Janzen said, “is let’s keep talking.”